Summer 2016 « NOVA Community Chorus

Archive for the ‘Summer 2016’ Category

Register ASAP and Bookstore

Saturday, July 30th, 2016

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- I have received word that Poulenc Gloria and Miriam’s Song of Triumph are in the bookstore. I have also received word that music classes continue to show low enrollments. So if you’ve ever thought about a course in singing, guitar or world music, now is the time. Guaranteed fun. Tell your friends.

CHORUS- Please use social media to encourage all your singer friends to join us this Fall. If you remember singers who have sung with us in the past, please have them sing with us this fall.

Today is our last day at the Three Choirs Festival in Gloucester UK. Mahler Symphony 8 is tonight!

Yours- DrW

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Register Immediately

Friday, July 22nd, 2016

From Dr. Whitmire: I just received word that the college is forced to reduce its course offerings. All courses with low enrollments will be eliminated immediately. Please register now. If you are a senior who is able, please consider registering as a paying student. Yours-DrW

Admin: See previous post for course details

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Joyful Celebration

Thursday, July 7th, 2016

[July 7, 2016] From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers – It has come to my attention that some of you have been petitioning the college regarding my leaving NOVA at the end of the coming academic year. I know that your efforts are motivated by good intentions and a desire to keep our wonderful partnership going. Now, as always, I am touched and thankful for your support, faithfulness and friendship. However, I respectfully ask that you cease writing and petitioning the college on my behalf. Your efforts will not alter the outcome. Moreover, I want the coming year to be a joyful celebration of our years together (1984-2017). Let’s put all our energy into the wonderful music that lies ahead – Schubert, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Brahms – and savoring the hours we will enjoy bringing it to life. I can’t wait to get started!
Yours-DrW

[July 4, 2016] From Chorister Terri: Dear Members of the NOVA Community Chorus,

Many of us are dismayed that what seem to be arbitrary scheduling policies of the NVCC Alexandria music department have made it necessary for Dr. Whitmire to leave us at the end of this school year. If you share our feeling that NVCC management must not prioritize administrative scheduling policies above their mission to provide high-quality programs and instructors, please add your name to our petition at the link below.
http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/nova-management-keeping-gifted-teachers-more-important-than-

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Recap of emails and attachments

Saturday, July 2nd, 2016

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Unless there is something rotten in cyberspace, you should now have sheet music and note-learning files for for Nachtlied and Miriam’s Song of Triumph. I divided part 1 and part 2 of Miriam at page 12 so that the files would not be too large. If there is anything you did not receive, let me know. If I know Kate, she will have these materials on www.novachorus.org in the twinkling of an eye. I also have German diction files, but I think they can wait. I’ll have CDs for everyone on August 18. I look forward to seeing you. In the meanwhile, have a great summer.
Your-DrW

Admin: As rehearsal tracks, recordings and sheet music files become available, they are posted to the music files page, listed on the tab above.

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Getting ready for the best year ever

Wednesday, June 29th, 2016

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers,
I hope you are all continuing to enjoy a wonderful summer. I managed to get to the beach with my girls last week and had a great time.
I hope you have had a chance to listen to Miriam’s Song of Triumph and Nachtlied that I sent back in May (see below). Beautiful!
Attached is sheet music for Nachtlied. This is the actual music we will use.
I will send a pdf of Miriam’s Song of Triumph in two parts. However, we will sing from music that you will purchase at the book store (Kalmus Classic Edition (AP.K06423).Item Number: AP.K06423 ISBN 0769245315)
I hope to send notes very soon, as I know many of you are excited to get started learning this wonderful music.
this is going to be our greatest year ever! If you know singers who have sung with us in the past, or brand new folks who would enjoy this great music, please bring them aboard. They will be glad you did.
Yours-DrW

Admin: As rehearsal tracks, recordings and sheet music files become available, they are posted to the music files page, listed on the tab above.

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Springtime in Funen

Thursday, June 16th, 2016

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers – Here is a video that I just discovered of our performance of Springtime in Funen. My thanks to Bruna for posting. Yours-drW

https://youtu.be/LZIL2Vqe9vM

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Reilly Notice

Tuesday, June 14th, 2016

A funeral service for the late J. Reilly Lewis is to be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at the Washington National Cathedral. An organ prelude will begin at 9:45 am. The Cathedral Choral Society and Washington Bach Consort will participate in the service. The details are listed on these two websites: bachconsort.org and cathedralchoralsociety.org.
AND
On June 21, join us at 7:30 pm at Clarendon United Methodist Church in Arlington to sing together Brahms’ German Requiem. This, the second and final Washington Summer Sings! of the season in its new home at the Clarendon UMC where Reilly was organist and choirmaster for more than 40 years, was to have been directed by Reilly. This morning, the church asked NDC’s artistic director, Tom Beveridge, to conduct. The soloists and accompanist remain as previously advertised. We will sing the Requiem in German, as requested by Reilly. A limited number of scores will be available if you need one.
Clarendon UMC is located at 606 North Irving Street, Arlington VA 22201. Parking is available in a lot and also on the street. The Clarendon Metro stop is nearby.
=========

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Requiem Aeternam

Saturday, June 11th, 2016

From Dr. Whitmire:
Dear Singers- Most of you will have learned by now (.pdf) of the sudden death on Thursday evening of eminent conductor J. Reilly Lewis. Reilly was on of the finest musicians I have had the pleasure to know. He was also a dear colleague and friend. We had exchanged e-mails around noon on Thursday. By the end of the day he was gone. Like musicians across the region, I am still staggered by this loss. At our October concert we will dedicate Schumann’s Nachtlied, op. 108 to Reilly. It is a work that he conducted several years back. Many of us can feel deeply the words, “The heart in my breast is crowded with the rise and fall of life.” Rest in Peace, Dear Friend.

Yours-DrW\

Flowing, swelling night,
full of lights and stars:
in the endless distances,
speak: what has awakened out there?

The heart in my breast is crowded
with the rise and fall of life;
I feel it weaving about me, an immense thing that squeezes mine out.

Sleep, you approach gently
as the nurse approaches a child;
and about this paltry flame
you form a protective circle.

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Brie

Tuesday, June 7th, 2016

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
Many of you know my daughter Brie. She was 6 months old when I started at NOVA. Some will remember her sleeping in a basket under the piano during classes. She is now a teacher and baseball coach in South East DC. Here is a video clip about her work.

http://www.wusa9.com/sports/high-school/growing-on-the-diamond-sousa-baseball-makes-big-strides/235663448

Yours-DrW

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Courses

Tuesday, June 7th, 2016

From Dr. Whitmire: Hello again Singers-
In order to make finding the right courses and sections easier, please consult the following list. (The regime couldn’t manage to get teacher’s names on their courses, or times correct.)
Yours-DrW

Dr. Whitmire’s courses

Fall 2016

Mus 121 Music Appreciation (World Music)

MUS 131 Class Voice

Mus 137 Chorus

Mus 163 Guitar

Mus 198 Vocal Seminar (seminar will actually meet 12:30 to 2:30 pm, as usual)

Mus 237 Chorus (Sat. rehearsals will actually meet 11:00 to 12:15, as usual)

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Important Message

Tuesday, June 7th, 2016

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers,

I hope you are having a great summer. I certainly am, although I miss seeing you on Tuesday nights.

As I have said before, the upcoming season is going to be wonderful – filled with some of my favorite music of all time. The music will undoubtedly take on additional significance because this will be my last year at NOVA.

I have loved teaching at NOVA and being your Director. But two years ago, the new music regime changed my teaching schedule to one that has proven untenable. I told them last Fall that if they would simply return my teaching schedule to the one I had for the first 29 years of my tenure at NOVA, I would like to teach for four of five more years. Sadly, they declined my offer. Go figure.

I hope that many of you will take classes (in addition to chorus) with me this Fall, as I want to see as much of you as possible this year. I have several classes that you might enjoy:

MUS 121 – Music Appreciation – A course about music from around the world. Fascinating! I love it.

MUS 131 – Class Voice – For anyone who wants to improve their singing technique. Guaranteed results!

MUS 163 – Class Guitar – Anyone can learn to play guitar! And it’s great fun.

MUS 198 – Vocal Seminar – For solo singers who want to improve their performance skills. You get a weekly opportunity to sing with Chris Hagan at the piano. Priceless!

Registration is happening now. As always, when seniors are able to register as paying students, it insures the viability of a class.

If you know good singers who would like to join us in chorus, please help me get them on board. If you know singers who have sung with us in the past and might want to return for this historic season (32 years is historic, right?), please encourage them to join us for what will be our best year ever.

Yours-DrW

P.S. In the Fall Tuesday rehearsals will begin at 7:00 pm (rather than 7:30 pm).

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Summer Sings

Thursday, May 26th, 2016

From Chorister Anne: Dear [New Dominion Chorale] Members,
Good news! Summer Sings is back! Two Summer Sings sing-alongs have been scheduled as follows:
1. Tuesday, June 7, 2016, 7:30 PM: Mozart Requiem conducted by Tom Beveridge
2. Tuesday, June 21, 2016, 7:30 PM: Brahms Requiem conducted by J. Reilly Lewis
Location: Clarendon United Methodist Church, 606 North Irving St., Arlington, VA 22201
Parking: Free at the church
Mark your calendars now, and be on the lookout for more information to follow very soon.
Very best,
Claudia Andrews for Lee Dreyfus

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Thanks for a Fabulous year

Thursday, May 26th, 2016

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
I hope you are all enjoying the beginning of a wonderful summer. I am sorry that the rainy weather doused our annual chorus picnic. But the sun is out out now and it feels so good.

I am beginning to turn my attention to our first concert -The Annual Chorus Benefit Concert (“Ein Liederabend”) on October 25. Christine and David Hagan will play the sublime
Mendelssohn Concert for Two Pianos on E major
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTdaFQ4IdoI

We will sing Schubert’s Miriam’s song of Triumph
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_c_mSLkQZE
and Schumann’s Nachtlied
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o61-EPADboA

Then of course, there is the Poulenc Gloria –one of my favorite pieces in all of music history. What a thrill!

If you know good singers who would enjoy this fantastic music, please have the plan to join us. All of these pieces require a large, skilled chorus. I will need every one of you back at our first rehearsal on August 23. In the Fall rehearsals will begin at 7:00 pm.

In case you are interested—

Most of you have sung my Jazz Mass. All of you have sung the Ellington Sacred Service. Here is a link to a service I conducted last Sunday that features that music. I’ve listed numbers so you don’t have to wade through all the talking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShVdyzj09io

Introit 14:00
Gloria 20:15
Psalm 26:20
Creed 49:58
The Majesty of God 1:05:10
Sanctus 1:12:20
Lord’s Prayer 1:15:50
Agnus Dei 118:20
Heaven 1:22:55

Thanks to everyone for a fabulous year of singing.
Yours-DrW

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Fifteenth Rehearsal Preview

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016

From Dr. Whitmire:
Welcome to our 15th and final rehearsal of the year.

And what a year it has been!
Bach and Handel in the Fall
Ellington, Nielsen and Bernstein in the Spring

We have a super- exciting year coming up. See the schedule below. Register now and invite your friends to join us.

We’ll finish rehearsal by 9:00 pm tonight. Let’s go to Clyde’s for refreshment. UNDER 30s – If you come and sit together, I will pick up the tab for your table—food and drinks.

MUSIC MAJORS – Please send me your recording of you singing movement I of Chichester Psalms. You may sing along with your CD. As we discussed last week, it is due today.

Annual Chorus Picnic
Saturday, May 14, 2:00 pm at the home of Judy and Fred Wulff
Good food, good company, good fun!

Sing Well- DrW

Fall 2016 – Spring 2017

Tuesday, October 25, 2016
7:30 p.m. Annual Chorus Benefit Concert
Liederabend: Music of Schubert, Schumann, Mendelssohn and Brahms
Schlesinger Center

Sunday, November 27, 2016
5:00 p.m. Dress Rehearsal with WMPO
Immanuel Church on the Hill

Tuesday, November 29, 2016
7:30 p. m. Dress Rehearsal for Holiday Concert
Schlesinger

Sunday, December 4, 2016
5:00 p.m. Concert with WMPO: Poulenc Gloria
Church of the Epiphany

Tuesday, December 6, 2016
7:30 p.m. Winter Concert
Three Holiday Songs, excerpts from Gloria
Schlesinger Center

Sunday, December 11
5:00 p.m. Concert with WMPO: Francis Poulenc, Gloria
Masonic Memorial

Tuesday, March 21, 2017
7:30 p.m. World Water Day Concert (Environmental Theme)
Schlesinger Center (or possibly in the new building)

Sunday, April 2, 2017
5:00 p.m. Concert with WMPO: John Ireland, These things shall be
Church of the Epiphany

Sunday, April 9 with WMPO, 2017
5:00 p.m. Concert with WMPO: John Ireland, These things shall be
Masonic Memorial

Tuesday, May 2, 2017
7:30 p. m. Dress Rehearsal
Schlesinger

Friday, May 5, 2017
7:30 p.m. Spring Concert
Schlesinger Center

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Fourteenth Rehearsal Preview

Tuesday, April 26th, 2016

From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 14th rehearsal of Spring 2016! Please sign in.

Tonight -Tuesday, April 26 – Dress Rehearsal, Schlesinger, 7:30 pm

Schedule
~~Saturday, April 30 – Full Rehearsal SATB (attendance required)~~ Cancelled
Tuesday, May 3 – Last Rehearsal. AT130
Friday, May 6 – NVCC Spring Concert, Schlesinger; 6:30 pm call

Annual Chorus Picnic
Saturday, May 14, 2:00 pm at the home of Judy and Fred Wulff
Good food, good company, good fun!

Sing Well- DrW

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NOVA Community Chorus